Last week I received a message from a friend and my pastor’s wife asking if I would be available to help with Upward Basketball evaluations over the weekend. I actually laughed out loud when I read the message. My first thought was “she must be desperate.”

You see, they are a big basketball family. They love playing and love watching basketball.

Me? Not so much. I never enjoyed playing it through my school days and if there was anything else to play, I would. I don’t enjoy watching basketball. I don’t understand the rules and regulations or the dynamics of playing basketball. It’s just not where you would find me.

So I laughed. But I told her I would gladly be there to help.

Turned out that I didn’t have to evaluate how well the children played basketball. I fit them for their uniforms. Now that I can do.

I was reminded that God sometimes asks us to do something that we are uncertain of. Sometimes He asks us to go places that have never been on our radar before. Sometimes He asks us to move out of our comfort zone.

It may be He is urging you to speak to a neighbor. Or maybe lead a small group. Or give financially to your local church. Or sponsor a Compassion child. Or invite a lonely person to Thanksgiving dinner.

For some, these are easy. Perhaps they are already part of who you are and what you do.

I was one of those people. But then God took me to another level. He asked me to go to SE Asia on a service trip. Yes, He asked me to go from familiar territory to unfamiliar and within weeks I was praying through the streets of a city in SE Asia.

So here’s the thing. If God calls us to it, He has a plan.

He will go before us

When Joshua took the lead from Moses in Deuteronomy, Moses assured Joshua with these words. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 – NIV)

Moses could not have given Joshua any more encouraging words than these. I’m sure Joshua thought of Moses’ message on many occasions as he led God’s people into the Promised Land.

We can hold to these encouraging words as well. God will not send us where He has not already gone. Be assured that He has already checked it out and now it’s your turn to make a move.

He will be with us

You read this in the verse above, but Jesus spoke similar words in the Book of Matthew. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 – NIV)

When we have the assurance of God’s presence, we are able to move from our comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory.

He will prepare us

You may not feel as if you fully prepared to make a move…I would have never boarded the plane to SE Asia if I had to be fully prepared. It’s not our preparing that He asks. It’s His preparing that He desires for us. The change of heart. The moving of His Spirit. The giving up of ourselves to be used by Him. That’s how He prepares us.

I love that God has given us His Scripture to help us with our preparation. We find these words in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) to help us understand this concept. “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

We must have the knowledge of what God wants for our lives by studying His Word. We can then be prepared to do His work.

He will do His work

God will be at work within you, but we also see how He works in this world. In the Old Testament, God confused enemy armies, God led His people into the Promised Land, and God performed miraculous signs.

In the New Testament, God sent His Son Jesus to be the Savior of the world. Through Jesus many have come to know God’s grace. We find redemption through Jesus. This is God’s greatest work. The redemption of mankind.

“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace that he lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.” (Ephesians 1:7-8 – NIV)

When we are willing to do as He asks, others will come to know how God works in our lives. Others will come to know Jesus as their Savior.

He will receive the glory

As we go about God’s work in this world and our neighborhoods, we must give Him the glory for everything. For whom we are and what we’ve become. For what we do and why we do it. God must be glorified.

“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17 – NIV)

When we follow God’s lead into unfamiliar territory, we come to the understanding that we cannot do this on our own. We have realized that we are powerless and that we were only able to do this because of God’s strength, guidance, and presence. A few verses come to mind.

“I can do everything through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13 – NIV)

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness…For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – NIV)

What is God asking you to do today? Where is He leading you? Have you accepted His invitation? His call? Please don’t hesitate. Know that He is with you. He will lead and guide and help you along the way. Go ahead and say “yes.” Then sit back and watch what He has planned.

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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